We never really "saw" the beetles. The way we first knew something was wrong was when the tops of the trees started turning brown. It seems to start from the top and works down the trees canopy. Then, when we looked at the trunk we could see hundreds of little holes in the outer bark. After the tree was dead, thick layers of the bark would come off, and we could see larvae on the underside.

I don't know if there is anything that can save the tree. One horticulture site I checked said to remove the infected tree and all the pine trees in a wide area around the infected tree.

Some people don't like pine trees, but I love them -- especially on a rainy/misty day. I love to walk among them then. The drip of drops from their needles; the strong smell of pine; and the misty look of the air makes for such a calming setting. During the day, they make a nice thick canopy to block the sun and lower the temperature.

September 22, 2006

Mixing-Bowl Musings

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Luke 18:18-27

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. —Luke 18:27

Countless times I’ve heard myself say, “I’m going to bake a cake.” Then one day I realized that I’ve never baked a cake in my life—only my oven can do that. I simply mix the right ingredients and allow the oven to do its part. Through that division of labor, I have the joy of seeing others taste and enjoy delicious cake.

God used my mixing-bowl musings to clarify a dilemma I once had after starting a neighborhood Bible study. It was one thing to bring my neighbors together to study the Bible, but seeing them believe and follow Christ was another. I felt powerless. Suddenly I saw the obvious. Like baking cakes, making Christians was impossible for me, but not for God. I had blended the right ingredients—an open home, friendship, love. Now I had to trust the Holy Spirit, through His Word, to do His work. When I cooperated with that division of labor, I had the joy of seeing others taste of God’s goodness.

In Luke 18:18-27, Jesus so vividly described some hindrances to saving faith that His listeners began to wonder if anyone could be saved. Do you feel that way about someone? Be encouraged by the Lord’s strong reminder that there are some things that only God can do. Saving people is one of them. —Joanie Yoder

The Lord’s the only one who can
Transform a person’s heart;
But when we share God’s saving truth,
We play a crucial part. —Sper

We sow the seed, but God brings the harvest.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year; Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1